My POOR MAN'S Cold Weather Gear and Brief Test Ride

SO I'm hoping to ride in the annual Marine's Toys for Tots ride in Chicago this Sunday. Its suppose to be sunny, windy and 20-40F (the last time I looked).

Today its 23F with a wind chill of 8F. I rode about 4 miles to fill up the tank and zip around a little bit. Max speed 55F. Average was 45.

I have a 1hour 65 & 55 MPH ride to the start of the parade. My windjammer fairing is installed and plan on installing a set of lowers later today (screws showed up last night).

I'll ramble on about what I wore (plan on wearing) and my brief findings. I'm open to CHEAP store bought improvement ideas.

Head
Full helmet on - Tend to fog up alot at stops/slow speed behind the fairing with vents closed
Full face thin winter ninja style balaclava - Did not cover my nose to keep fogging down - NEED to cover lips to prevent wind chill
Fleece neck gator - might let wife wear it
Head and ears were warm - nose varies depending on face shield being cracked open for venting - I think I'm good to go

Chest and Neck
Besides the neck protection mentioned above, I'm also wearing several layers.
Thin thermal long sleeve shirt with short mandarin style colar.
Thin long sleeve "work out shirt" with zip up turtle neck.
Short Sleeve T-Shirt
3 Season 3 Layer Motorcycle jacket - Inner layer had high mandarin style colar.
Chest/Core/Neck seem good to go - Though I got some wind up my back - But my wife will keep it warm - If solo maybe another layer or longer tucked in shirt - I don't have matching zip on riding pants (to prevent to wind).

Hands
I purchased cold weather high flexibility gloves.
My fingers were a little cold with that short ride. Also the gloves are NOT gauntlet style so I had some wind hitting my skin at jacket/gloves joint area. I may try to find some thin gloves or "hunting" gloves liners at my local sporting goods and Farm & Fleet stores. I could probably cut up an old sweat shirt to make a gauntlet sleeve. OPEN TO CHEAP LOCAL SUGGESTIONS.
I have some hand warmer packages but will need other improvements.

Legs/Waist
Boxer Briefs
Thin modern long underwear
Thicker "old schoool" long underwear
Cheap brand flannel lined jeans
The sides of my legs were getting a little chilled with side winds (expect more on the expressway). I may toss on a pair of "wind breaker" like work out pants or a pair of rain pants I have to help block the wind. My crotch seemed warm, but it was a short ride. OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS

Feet
Two pairs of socks put on in a way to keep long underware tight and prevent gap like on my gloves.
8" Bates Tactical Style boots (non-insulated and no steel toe).
Feet seemed warm enough. I get cold feet all winter long regardless so this is a bit important. Shifting/braking felt about the same as wearing a pair of steel toes (what I used learning to ride).

FYI: I wore nearly the same outfit/layers yesterday going downtown Chicago waiting for buses and "L"s (elevated subway trains). That is why I have the second long underwear and shirt. My feet were warm enough yesterday. My hands were ok but I wasn't riding.

Actually riding in the charity parade is still up to the weather. I'm not crazy enough to ride 40+ miles to the start line while snowing or icy roads. But assuming I AM riding (with the wife as planned), I need to be warm enough.

My wife is not preparing as hard. I should drag her out on the bike tonight so she knows what to expect. :twisted:

So if you have any feedback or suggestions let me know SOON please! Especially gloves/hands and feet.

 

If you just need it for this ome time maybe duct tape the gloves to your jacket at the wrists.

When I rode my bike a bit more regularly last year I'd ride into work 30+ miles on the interstate at 65mph+ down into the mid 30's I found chaps to be much better than long underwear for my legs though they're not cheap.

For your feet find some ski socks. Plenty warm and only 1 layer.

For my upper body it was usually my undershirt, regular short sleeve work shirt, a hoodie, then my leather jacket with lining. I'd put my hood up under my helmet on really cold or windy mornings.

 

I ride most of the winter with about what you discribed.

Head - the same except the neck gator

Body - Thin thermals zip, up hoody and leather jacket (no removable liners)

Hands - Good pair of gortex gloves gauntlet style

Legs - boxer type briefs, Thin thermals and jeans (chaps would be a nice addition)

Feet - A good pair of warm hiking socks and Cowboy boots or hunting boots


Your hand and toes will be the parts to get the coldest try adding those hunting chemical handwarmers to your boots and gloves, they work for about 8 hours and are less expensive than eletric warming gloves.

Have fun on your ride.

 

@ Bob, if you happen to be in the south loop between 11am-6pm swing by The Wabash Tap (1233 S. Wabash Ave). I'll be bartending and I owe you a drink for fusebox replacement tutorial.

As for warm clothing, I'm sure a speedo and a safety vest would probably work. Eye protection as well.

- skulldestroyer aka andy

 

One word- LEATHER

I rode my bike today.. 40 degrees going, 35 degrees coming home... about 35 minutes each way (won the pool tournament BTW )

Body: I use a simple fleece pull-over and a leather jacket. If you don't have a leather jacket that zips/buttons all the way up to the collar, you can use a winter jacket such as a Columbia or North Face with a nylon outer (blocks wind).

Legs: Jeans... that's all I've needed with the fairing and lowers. Tops of my legs get colder than the where the jeans are loose(below the knee).

Hands: LEATHER gloves. I use very lightly insulated leather gloves. not real long gauntlets- but ones that spread out over the cuffs of the jacket.

Feet: LEATHER Boots- above the ankle. any style/type

Ray

 

Snowmobile suit works good. One of those with gauntlet gloves and you stay nice and warm. Picked mine up for $5 at a garage sale. It was like new.

 

If you have a Cabela's nearby get a pair if handlebar mitts/muffs for $20. They velcro o the handlebars and you slip you hands inside them. Absolutely windproof and waterproof. A local ATV/snowmobile store should have them

Cold feet? You can buy insole disposable warmers that last 8 hours for just a few bucks, then throw them away. Wiork great!

Loren

 

I ride most or the winter, the key is layered clothing and the final layer is a rain suit. It will keep out the wind and water. I got mine from Cycle gear for 50$. Elastic wrist and leg cuffs keep you warm, the collar tucks under your helmet.

 

I have a Frog Tog rain suit. It almost feels like thin card board. I could give that a try

 

Great. Find me one. I'll pay five bucks...

 

I dont feel that leather does too much to stop the cold. Leather seems to get really cold and not help matters much.

But then again, the extent to my cold whether gear was simply a bandanna around the face and neck, and cotton gloves to go under my leather gloves.
Occasionally two pairs of socks.

All of this means nothing when you still have a hole or two in your jeans.

I do agree completely with the duct tape around the gloves and jacket. That was one of the worst pains is the cold shooting up your arm.

I pretty much only had to do this at night when it was around 30 or 40 degrees out. Arizona is pretty nice at night.